2-Day Tarangire & Crater, Upscale Lodge
Arusha Tarangire Karatu Ngorongoro Crater Arusha
From, per person$654
Photo: BrixL, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tanzania safari
2-Day Hadzabe & Datoga Visit at Lake Eyasi
Overview
Around the shores of Lake Eyasi, south of the Ngorongoro highlands, live the Hadzabe, one of the very few communities in Tanzania who still hunt and gather much of their food. Their language, Hadzane, uses click sounds, and many Hadzabe today combine the old ways with other work. A visit is arranged with the community through local guides, and it is about spending time with people as they go about their day, not watching a show.
On this short trip you drive from Arusha to the lake on the first day and meet a Datoga family in the afternoon. The Datoga are cattle herders, and some families are blacksmiths who turn scrap metal into arrowheads, knives and jewelry. Early the next morning you walk out with a group of Hadzabe men on their hunt, or join the women as they gather berries and dig for tubers, before the drive back to Arusha.
Tanzania Tourism Safaris arranges the visit with an English-speaking local guide who explains what is happening as it unfolds. Expect an early start, thorny bush and plenty of walking. The trip suits curious, flexible travelers who are happy to follow someone else’s routine for a morning.
Tour highlights
- Dawn walk with a Hadzabe hunting party
- Foraging for berries and tubers with Hadzabe women
- Fire-making and bow-and-arrow practice
- Visit to a Datoga blacksmith family
- Overnight near the shore of Lake Eyasi
Day by day
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Day 1 Arusha to Lake Eyasi and a Datoga Homestead Stay Mid-range lodge or tented camp near Lake EyasiMeals Lunch, Dinner
Leave Arusha in the morning and drive west through the farming town of Karatu, then down rough tracks toward Lake Eyasi, a shallow, salty lake at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment. After lunch, visit a Datoga homestead. Depending on the family you meet, you may watch a blacksmith melt down scrap metal and hammer it into arrowheads and bracelets, or learn how the women grind maize between two stones, and you are welcome to try. In the evening, your guide explains how the Hadzabe visit will work.
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Day 2 Morning with the Hadzabe, Then Back to Arusha Meals Breakfast, Lunch
Leave the lodge before sunrise for a short drive to a Hadzabe camp, where the men sit around the fire, straightening arrows and talking before they set off. If they are happy for you to come along, follow the hunting party on foot for two to four hours as they track birds and small game. Some travelers prefer to stay with the women as they collect berries and dig tubers. Back in camp, try lighting a fire with sticks and drawing a Hadzabe bow, and often there is singing and dancing. Then drive back to Arusha.
Prices by season
Per person in US dollars. The price depends on when you travel and how many travelers share the trip.
| Season | 1 traveler | 2 travelers | 4 travelers | 6 travelers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season 1 Mar – 31 May | $1,024 | $683 | $554 | $512 |
| High season 1 Nov – 20 Dec and 6 Jan – 29 Feb | $1,078 | $719 | $584 | $539 |
| Peak season Now 1 Jun – 31 Oct and 21 Dec – 5 Jan | $1,198 | $799 | $649 | $599 |
Tour price includes
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with an open roof
- Airport meet-and-greet and private transfers
- English-speaking resident local guides
- Community visit fees, conservation fees and taxes
- All activities in the itinerary, including the Hadzabe and Datoga visits
- One night at a mid-range lodge or tented camp near Lake Eyasi
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
Tour price excludes
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Souvenirs and other personal spending
Questions about this safari
Is the hunt staged for visitors?
No. The hunters go out because they need food, and they decide where to go and what to follow. That also means nothing is guaranteed: some mornings end with a bird or a small antelope, others with nothing at all. Your guide keeps you at a respectful distance so you never get in the way.
Will I see an animal being killed or eaten?
It can happen. When a hunt succeeds, the men often cook the meat over a fire straight away and may offer visitors a piece. Saying no politely is perfectly fine. If you would rather not see a kill, spend the morning with the women’s foraging group instead, and tell your guide in advance.
Can I take photographs?
In most cases, yes, but ask first through your guide and respect a no. The visit works best when you put the camera away for long stretches, join in and talk through your guide, rather than treating people as subjects for a photo shoot.
What should I wear and bring?
Closed walking shoes, long trousers and neutral-colored clothes, because the bush is thorny and the hunters move quietly. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water and a light jacket for the cool start before dawn. A small backpack keeps your hands free for climbing over rocks.
Before you go
- Best Time To Visit Tanzania
- How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost?
- Top Safari Packing List in Tanzania
- The Best Guides on Tanzania Visa Requirement
- Tanzania Travel Insurance
- Tanzania Travel Safety
- Tipping In Tanzania Safari
- Tanzania Safari Faqs
Listed in Cultural safaris
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